Altenator gage question. Options

[redbird1]

Lately I've noticed that when I first get in my car and start it the Alt gage is over on the right side. Over the last few weeks it seems to be getting just a little worse every few days. Example, this morning it was just short of the first white line that come about a 1/8" before the red zone. As I drive the car it slowly comes back toward center. The car still cranks fine and starts right up. What is this? Is it a sign the battery is going?

Steve

[z28barnett]

Lately I've noticed that when I first get in my car and start it the Alt gage is over on the right side. Over the last few weeks it seems to be getting just a little worse every few days. Example, this morning it was just short of the first white line that come about a 1/8" before the red zone. As I drive the car it slowly comes back toward center. The car still cranks fine and starts right up. What is this? Is it a sign the battery is going?

Steve

The guage doesn't tell you very much.

It is a voltage gauge, thats it.

It will read close to the same until the battery dies without warning.

When you crank you drain the battery, you need voltage to charge it back up, gage should go high right after it starts.

If you want to test the battery pull it out and take it to some auto parts with a load tester.

I wold not put much stock in the gage readings.

Z28